Cloth-folder or hem-gage.



I. HILTON.

CLOTH FOLDER OR. HEM GAGE.

APPLIOATION FI-LED JULY 2, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

L SAT FATENT @FFIQE.

ISABEL HILTON, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLOTH-FOLDER OR HEM-GAGE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Isannn HILTON, citizen of the United States, residing at lhiladelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cloth- Folders or Hem-Gages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in cloth folders or hem gages, being a device designed primarily for folding over a fabric and regulating the depth of the hem thus produced.

The present invention has for its objects among others to provide a simple, cheap, yet efficient and durable device for this purpose, by which any desired depth of hem may be made and by means of which the fabric may be folded at any desired width of hem and the same width maintained throughout the entire length of the fabric. I provide a spring arm designed to press upon the fabric and means for firmly holding the parts in their adjusted positions. The device is also applicable as a marker, by which to measure the bottom edge of the skirt for the purpose of trimming off when necessary.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which-- Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the application of the device to a piece of fabric. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the combined cloth folder or hem gage and marker.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the different views.

In carrying out the invention, in its preferred form, I take a plate 1 of suitable material, as sheet metal, and provide it with a longitudinal slot 2, and at one end with a lateral member 3 which may be integral therewith or secured thereto in any suitable manner. The outer edge of this plate is graduated, as shown at 41, for a purpose which will be self-evident.

5 is a spring arm secured by suitable means, as rivets or the like 6, to the plate 1 at the end farthest from the lateral mem ber 8, as shown clearly in both views. This spring is arched or bowed somewhat, as seen at 7, and the construction is such that the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 2, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

Serial No. 505,592.

free end 8 of said spring exerts a constant pressure upon the material when the device is applied, as seen in Fig. 1.

9 is a slide having one portion parallel with the main plate 1 and having its opposite edges turned up, as seen at 10, to form flanges, between which the plate is guided in its movements and, by means of which, it is held against lateral movement, so as to be kept at all times movable in a st 'aight line and parallel with said turned up flanges.

11 is a thumb screw or the like extending above the plate and the spring, being carried by the slide and having a Hanged portion 12 which bears against the upper face of the plate upon opposite sides of the slot 2, so that, when turned down sulliciently to engage said plate, it looks the slide in its adjusted position. This slide has a lateral extension 18, the rear edge of which is turned up, as shown at 1 1, to provide a rounded edge 15, so as to avoid a sharp corner for contact with the material being operated upon, while the said upturned portion 1st serves to strengthen the slide. This right angled portion 13 is provided with a plu 'ality of transverse openings or slits 16 providing the tongues 17 to permit of the interweaving of the material therein, as indicated in F i 1, so as to serve as a frictional guide for the same.

The mode of use will be apparent from Fig. 1, it being understood that the material is interengaged with the tongues of the lateral extension 13 of the slide, after the manner shown in said Fig. 1, the slide being first set to give the required depth of hem and securely fastened in adjusted position by screwing down the thumb nut 11. The plate and thumb nut are then engaged by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the free end of the spring bearing upon the material over the end of the plate, the material being folded, as upon the line 19. The device is then moved along over the hem, the thumb and forefinger of the left hand being used, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, to press upon the folded edge of the material. The device is moved along a little at a time and the hem folded and pressed down by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, as the device is moved from place to place. After having been moved the whole width of the material, it is removed and the hem will be found of the same width throughout and the cloth Will be properly and nicely and accurately folded along the line 19.

In using the device as a marker, the skirt is draped on a figure or form and turned up at the bottom. The device is then set to the Width of the hem desired and the meas ure placed in position with the lower edge thereof even with the bottom edge of the skirt. With a pencil, the line is then marked above the top edge of the lateral extension 3 of the slide and the device moved all around the bottom of the skirt. he skirtis then trimmed olf above the pencil line in a manner which will be readily un derstood. The desired Width is attained by moving the slide in one direction or the other upon the plate and then securing it in position by means of the thumb screw and nut.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed as new is 1. A cloth folder or hem gage comprising a plate, a slide adjustable thereon, a lateral extension at one end of said plate, said slide having a lateral extension parallel With the extension of the plate, the lateral extension of the slide being provided With separated tongues and having its rear edge upturned, and a spring on the plate for exerting pressure on the material being operated upon.

2. A cloth folder or hem gage comprising i a plate having a longitudinal slot and a lateral extension, a slide movable along said plate, means for fastening the slide in adjusted position, said slide having a lateral extension provided with separated tongues, and a spring secured at one end to the plate and at the other end adapted to bear upon the material being operated upon.

3. A cloth folder or hem gage comprising a plate having a lateral extension at one end, a slide movable With relation to the plate and having lateral flanges at opposite sides for engagement with the opposite edges of the plate, and a lateral extension on said slide having an upturned edge and a spring on the plate extending beyond the extension of the slide.

a. A cloth folder or hem gage comprising a plate having a lateral extension at one end, a slide movable with relation to the plate and having lateral flanges at opposite sides for engagement with the opposite edges of the plate, and a lateral extension on said slide having an upturned edge at the side, its opposite side being slitted and provided with separated tongues and a spring on the plate extending beyond the extension of the slide.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ISABEL HILTON.

lVitnesses LEWIS B. lvLiATHIAS, JOHN DEVLIN. 

